Flexible elastic link for antiskid chains



l,5l7,138 F. IKE,

FLEXIBLE ELASTIC LINK FOR ANTISKID CHAINS Filed July 21, 1922 WITNE?$ (4m f INVENTOR. jiy 7 M LO/(.4

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FLEXIBLE ELASTIG LINK FORANTISKID CHAINS.

- Application filed July 21, 1922. Serial No. 576,553.

I '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRED Wins, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mercer, in the county of Mercer and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flexible Elastic Links for Antiskid Chains, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to side chains of antiskid chains for automobile tires.

The principal object of this invention is to provide antiskid chains having flexible elastic links which replace some at least of the stiff inelastic links now commonly used in the side members of antiskid chains.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view showing in side elevation a portion of a tire with my improvements applied thereto; Fig. 2, a side elevation of one of my improved links somewhat enlar ed; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the link 0 Fig. 2 with the coiled spring omitted; Fig. 4, a side elevation of in link with the coiled sprin left off; an Fig. 5, a side elevation of t e two endless members of Fig.4 provided with the spring 12. On the drawing, 1 designates a tire of the Ordinary inflatable type, and 2 is the rim therefor. The antiskid chain is of the common type havin an annular side member on each side 0' the tire, the annular members being connected together by crosschains. I have shown one side member 3 of an antiskid chain with two cross-chains 4t. Jlhe side members may be made up princitpally of the usual links 5, between some 0 which my improved link 6 may be conneeted. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, my link contains duplicate flexible members 7 composed of wire and having relative movement longitueach member? comprises a slug e piece of wire having its ends welded get er Each member is bent so as to have the eye 8 at one end and the elongated loop 9 at the other end, the eye and loop being joined b the neck 10 composed of the two sides 0 the member being conti one for a short distance, so that a should Zr H is Iced at the junction of the neck with the loop. Before two companion memhere 7 are both welded as described, they are interlooped or interlinked so that each loop may have longitudinal play or movement in the other, but cannot become separated. A coiled spring 12 surrounds the loops 9 of the link and has its ends contracted so as to fit the neck 10 close to the shoulders 11 which serve as stops for the said contracted ends of the spring. The eyes 8 of my link are connected to other links, as 5, of the side member 3. 1

In Fig. 4, I show a modified link composed of the two members each composed of a sin is doubled piece of wire bent and assem led to form the interlinked elongated loops 9, the necks 10 being formed by twisting the two ends of the wires around each other. The outer ends of the members 7 are bent to form hooks or eyes 8 to which other links of a side member of a chain may be connected.

In lacing a chain containing my links aroun a tire, I prefer to put the side members under such tension that the members 7 of my link and the spring will be extended as much as possible, though the tension could be reduced or even be as is usual on antiskid chains without departing from my invention. With tension on the springs, I find that the chains creep around the tire so as to'evenly distribute the wear on the latter, while the chain is kept closely to the tire without rattling or liability of coming oil or unhooking, if hooks are used I claim- 1. In a tensioning device for an antiskid chain for automobile tires, a link comprising two members each having-at opposite ends an eye and a loop connected by a neck which forms a shoulder at its junction with the loop, the loops being interlinked and the members of the 100 being twisted around each other, in com ination with a coiled spring surroundin the interlinked loops and havin its on s contracted about the necks of t the said shoulders which serve as stops for theeendsof the sprin 2. In a oning d evice for an antiskid e said members and engaging n with chain for automobile tires, a link comprise ing two members each having at opposite i ends a slde-member connecting means and a loop, the loops being-interconnected and both sides of the loops being continued through the necks and the side-member connectinfiemeens and the continustions of the loops ing twisted together at their necks,

in combination with a coiled spring surrounding the interlinked loops and heving 10 its ends contracted about the necks of the said members and engaging the said shoul ders which serve as stops for the ends of the spring.

In testimon whereof I have hereunto 15 my hand t 's 19th day oi July, A. D

FRED WIKE. 

